All posts by doultonchristopher1

Doulton’s Hyperion ware

June 3, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

This has to be one of my favourite of all the Doulton wares, although I only have three examples in my collection. This ware had a very short production around 1900 and pieces are typically pastel pink or pastel blue and come in the usual range if shapes Doulton used in vases from this time. Although I did once have a cobalt blue example signed Walklate.

This particular style of painting was introduced by Noke and pieces of this ware are generally painted by Fred Walklate, John Kelsall or Edward Raby – three if Doulton’s most prestigious artists of the time.

This ware has no special mark but is so distinctive that it stands out from the crowd. The freehand floral images painted onto the pastel body were often outlined in gilt and there was often acid etching too, as in the two examples shown.

Hyperion ware is very rare today so pieces rarely appear on the secondary market.

Uncategorized

Royal Doulton Tablewares – an art deco surprise!

June 1, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

doultoncollectorsclub

Just as Doulton’s Lambeth art studio was supported by the manufacture of drainpipes, the Burslem enterprise was in its turn supported by the sale of Doulton’s famous tablewares.

A contemporary publicity shot for the Syren pattern.

Just as the many other pottery companies of the time, Doulton attempted to stay bang up to day whether it be imitating arts and crafts, designs, Victorian styles or geometric art deco patterns, yet, Doulton managed to climb to the top of the pile playing upon their heritage for producing quality items in modern tastes.

A leaflet promoting Doulton’s latest designs ca. 1935.

As well as producing items for the humble households up and down the country and around the world, Doulton also supplied some of the top hotels and restaurants with exclusive tablewares including The Savoy and Claridges in London. Certain patterns were targeted at particular markets such as the Maple Leaf pattern…

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Art deco, Artists, Burslem, Displays, Doulton, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Leslie Harradine, Reflections

The enchanting Lizana – another one not included in Reflections!

June 1, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

Inspired to share this next piece by a fellow collector who cherishes her Doulton figure Lizana, here is the inspiration behind her – a contemporary cigarette advert! Not quite PC today but the effort and detail put into advertising this brand of Abdulla cigarettes is to be marvelled, especially the rhyme at the bottom!

Art deco, Artists, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Reflections, Uncategorized

W S Penley as CHARLEY’S AUNT (second version) Issued in 1930 H. Fenton

June 1, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

The contempory theatre greatly influence Noke’s figurine range. W S Penley was popular in his role in Charley’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas, where he plays an Oxford undergraduate who impersonates an “Aunt from Brazil” who is to act as chaperone to some young ladies he and his friends wish to entertain. Charley’s Aunt ran for 1,466 performances after opening in 1913. On various anniversaries ladies in the audience were presented with a Doulton figurine of the main character commissioned by the author Brandon Thomas. About 500 – 600 of this commissioned figure were given away, together with a range of other souvenirs of the performances like those in the advert above. Early in his career in 1916, Noel Coward played the part of Charley.

A contemporary picture and version 2 of this unusual figure, modeled in an identical post and holding a cup of tea.

The figure was modelled by Albert Toft (1862 – 1949 ) who taught Leslie Harradine at Camberwell School of Art at evening classes when he was completing his apprenticeship at Doulton Lambeth. Toft himself had studied at Stoke on Trent and later at the Royal College of Art.

Art deco, Artists, Displays, Doulton, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Leslie Harradine, Seriesware

Regency HN1752 finds a home in Doulton’s famous seriesware pattern Historic England!

June 1, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

A few years ago I spotted the tray below and instantly recognised my figure Regency as the character in the scene!

The seriesware picture is faithfully copied from Harradine’s figure, save that the riding crop has changed hands and a feather has been added to the tricorn hat!

The story behind the seriesware pattern is that the lady is Dorothy Vernon, daughter of Sir George Vernon who owned Haddon Hall, who runs off with the son of the Earl of Rutland – a union opposed by the parents probably because of religious differences!

The series was introduced in 1938 and withdrawn by the early 1950’s.

Once again Doulton surprises us with this link between the figure range and seriesware!

Art deco, Artists, Burslem, Child figures, Doulton, Figure Articles, Figure inspiration, Leslie Harradine, Reflections, Uncategorized

Tinkle Bell’s inspiration – another one that didn’t make the final cut…

June 1, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

Another picture for you all to add to your lists of pictures that inspired figures is this charming child study by an unknown artist ‘Pieperhoff’.

As Jocelyn and I were selecting the themes we would include in our book Reflections: Doulton Figures as a Mirror of their Times, it was inevitable that we could not include everything we had found.

Typical of this time, many unknown artists’ work was used for greetings cards, in a similar vein to those published by Raphael Tuck and Valentine & Co. that we have already looked at.

Pieperhoff’s sentimental child study that inspired Tinkle Bell HN1677 below.

This particular illustration was clearly popular at the time (1930’s) as it can be found relatively readily and I have a miniature and a larger (30cm by 20cm) version.

Art deco, Burslem, Tableware

Royal Doulton Tablewares – an art deco surprise!

May 30, 2014 doultonchristopher1 1 Comment

Just as Doulton’s Lambeth art studio was supported by the manufacture of drainpipes, the Burslem enterprise was in its turn supported by the sale of Doulton’s famous tablewares.

A contemporary publicity shot for the Syren pattern.

A leaflet promoting Doulton’s latest designs ca. 1935.

A tableware leaflet illustrating Doulton’s deco tableware shapes.

Today it is possible to build up a vintage set of china whether in one particular pattern if you are patient or by mixing and matching the many styles available. In general it will be of interest for collectors to note that many of the deco dinner services were produced in earthenware, whilst the same pattern could be bought in bone china as a tea set. The reason being the durability of earthenware.

Another publicity shot this time featuring Eden on an earthenware body, note the wonderful toast rack!

Here is a set that Paul has unearthed recently, I love the simplistic art deco lines in silver and the classic lines of the shape it is on.

The Royalty pattern with its simplistic art deco platinum lines.

Another interesting thing to collect are the many tablecloths produced for Doulton featuring their most popular lines. I have a few examples including one to match Eden in the colourway above.

When you’ve built up a collection, use it as it will bring so much more pleasure! Happy collecting….

Art deco, Burslem, C. J. Noke, Displays, Doulton

Royal Doulton’s Lustre wares Part 1

May 30, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

Doulton produced their lustre wares from the late 19th Century to the mid 20th Century, so there are plenty of variations to collect. Here is an interesting page from a Doulton catalogue from 1924 showing their range of lustred vases and bowls to collect.

An early catalogue page.

Looking at the price list for these items, they were equivalent to other Doulton wares including Flambé and Titanian. Today these pieces are available at much more modest prices and many interesting shapes in vases etc…can be found.

Lustre is achieved by a thin metallic glaze being fired over the existing glaze. There are several transfer decorated items to collect in this lustre glaze, and one particular favourite of mine is this set featuring a japanese style tree and butterflies.

A group of oriental inspired lustre pieces.

As always with Doulton expect the unexpected for I have seen the interior of vases with lustre glazes where just the flared lip of the vase can be seen to Titanian bowls with a lustre finish either inside and out or just lustred on the inside.

A single view of the tall lustre vase. This shape was popular at the turn of the 20th Century and many fine pieces of handpainted Doulton can be found on this shape.

Figures and animals too were given a lustre glaze and in cases where the piece has lost its lustre it is impossible for us to tell that it would have had a lustre glaze as there was no special backstamp for this ware.

Displays, Doulton, Figure Articles, Peggy Davies

Doulton’s Williamsburg Figures

May 30, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

The original Williamsburg figures were introduced in 1960 and of course for this time were the models of the great Peggy Davies. Subsequently other figures were added to the series and also a set of Character Jugs.

These figures represented what would have been the major personalities of 18th Century Williamsburg, once the seat of government. Wherafter Williamsburg fell into decay and it wasn’t until the early 20th Century that the decision was made to restore this shrine of American Character and tradition. Each of the town’s buildings would be reconstructed and refurnished exactly to suit the dignity of its 18th Century heyday.

Today, side by side with the restored town, costumed tradesmen ply the trades of over 2 centuries ago – and this is where the inspiration for the range comes from. So we have a Silversmith, a Wigmaker, the famous Hostess and a lady and gentleman of the town among other characters.

The eight figures in the series.

These figures had a special backstamp as shown below.

The bases of the figures showing the special backstamp.

For me the great thing about this series is the opportunity to add other figures to it, for many of Peggy’s ‘Pretty Ladies’ fit ideally into this group of figures, as do Mary Nicoll’s character figures such as The Coachman HN2283, The Clockmaker HN2279 and of course her study of The Craftsman HN2284 (below).

Burslem, Displays, Doulton, Figure Articles, Leslie Harradine

How do you pair your Doulton figures?

May 29, 2014 doultonchristopher1 Leave a comment

With so many collectors sharing views of their collections and enjoying arranging their collections, I thought I would share a few groups and pairings that I think work together. Enjoy!

Patricia and The Paisley Shawl in two sizes.

Camille and Fleurette look picture perfect together, as do Camilla and Virginia below.

The lovely Pinkie and Monica.

Bon Jour and a colourway of Miss Demure.

Two sizes of Pierette.

The Masqueraders with their interlocking bases, that allow them to kiss!

Marie in a variety of colurways.

Two versions of Goody Two Shoes.

So how do you choose which pieces to put together? Don’t forget to share your pictures on our facebook page: Doulton Collectors Club

Thanks

A place to share enthusiasm for all things Royal Doulton! All original content ©Christopher Evans 2014 unless otherwise credited. No unauthorised reproduction permitted.

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